Introduction

South Pacific.

Area : 4167 sq km (1609 sq miles).

Population : 252,000 (UN, 2005).

Population Density : 60.48 per sq km.

Capital : Papeete (Tahiti Island). Population: 26,181 (2002).

Government : French Overseas Territory since 1946. 
Recent history: Tahiti and her Islands gained Overseas Country status in 2004. Pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru was elected by the territory's assembly in March 2005. It was the third change in leadership in 12 months and followed months of wrangling between Mr Temaru and pro-France rival, Gaston Flosse. Mr Flosse's Government lost a vote of confidence on February 2005, precipitating the poll in which Mr Temaru defeated the pro-France candidate, Gaston Tang Sang by 29 votes to 26.
The French Government is represented by a High Commissioner who controls foreign affairs, defence and justice. In other spheres, the islands have enjoyed internal autonomy since July 1977, which is exercised by an elected Government. This comprises a legislature, the 57-member Territorial Assembly which is directly elected for a five-year term, and an Executive President and Council of Ministers, all of whom are chosen from among the membership of the Assembly.

French Polynesia comprises 120 islands divided into five archipelagos: the Society Archipelago, Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands and Mangreva Islands. The Windward and Leeward Islands, collectively called the Society Archipelago, are mountainous with coastal plains. Tahiti, the largest of the Windward group, is dominated by Mount Orohena at 2236m (7337ft) and Mount Aorai at 2068m (6786ft). Moorea lies next to Tahiti, a picturesque volcanic island with white sand beaches. The Leeward Islands to the west are generally lower in altitude. The largest islands are Raiatea and Bora Bora. Tuamotu Archipelago comprises 80 coral atolls, located 298km (185 miles) east of Tahiti. The Marquesas Islands lie 1497km (930 miles) northeast of Tahiti and are made up of two clusters of volcanic islands divided into a southern and northern group. The grass-covered Austral Islands south of Tahiti are scattered in a chain from east to west over a distance of 499km (310 miles).

Language : The official languages are French and Tahitian. Other Polynesian languages are spoken by the indigenous population. English is widely understood, mainly by islanders accustomed to dealing with foreign visitors.

Religion : Approximately 55 per cent Protestant and 34 per cent Catholic.

Time : Tahiti and Her Islands span three time zones:

Gambier Islands: GMT - 9.
Marquesas Islands: GMT - 9.5.
Society Archipelago, Tubuai Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago (except Gambier Islands), Tahiti: GMT - 10.

Social Conventions : The basic lifestyle of the islands is represented by the simple Tahitian fares built of bamboo with pandanus roofs. Local women dress in bright pareos and men in the male equivalent, but casual dress is expected of the visitor (except in Papeete, where bathing suits and shorts are not considered suitable dress). Traditional dances are still performed mostly in hotels, with Western dance styles mainly in tourist centres. Normal social courtesies are important.

Electricity : 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. US-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Head of Government : Oscar Temaru, President of the Council of Ministers since 2005.

Head of State : President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by High Commissioner Michel Mathieu since 2001. 

    

      

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